Like all our big days out, we started off early, partly because of time and partly because our sleeping pattern still has not altered from New Zealand time. We headed to the city habour to make our way to Macau. Where Hong Kong had been under British influence, Macau which recently changed in 1999 was under Portuguese influence beforhand. Alot of its architecture and history can be seen there today.

As Macau like Hong Kong is an SAR of China we had to do all the formalities at the harbour of going through immigration both ways. Little bit disappointed that in both HK and Macau we didnt get a stamp in our passports.

There are many operators going to Macau, we managed to get with the fastest and most popular. It took us an hour to get there. Stevie and I tried to force ourselves to sleep as we both get a little sea sick.

Within no time we arrived, as most of the language was in Chinese or Portuguese we were at a loss of what do or how to get anywhere. Then approached the classic India (who wasn't Indian) with a car wanting to make us a deal. I managed to haggle him down. Although Stevie was her usual self of taking the Indians side. She always does that then claims to be a great haggler.

Free water, attraction information and a tourist map a deal was made. We had our own personal chauffer to taxi us around Macau and give us the opportunity to see the sites.

Our first stop was Fishermans Wharf, it felt like Italian influence looking at the architecture of the buildings, stood there was a main theatre stage and a circular building that looks like the coloseum. Our next stop was the Statue of Kun Iam, a female buddha figure. We visited her temple Kun Lam Temple and many others which we have forgot the names of (I think the other was Lin Fung Temple), but the best one was A-Ma Temple which is one of the oldest built in 1488 and most famous Taoist temples, In 2005 it became a world heritage site. I wonder how many UNESCO WH sites we have been too now. The name Macau actually comes from this temple.

We had a quick stop at Macau Tower, similar to the one in Auckland. The driver tried to sell us tickets going to the top, but again the tickets clearly were less and he was offering. So we declined. From the Tower we had a great view of one of the most beautiful buildings on the peninsula, The Grand Lisboa Hotel it was like a giant gold leaf shooting ground. It is also the tallest building in Macau.

We then ventured off to Senado Square another World Heritage Site. This is the historic centre of Macau, the whole square is paved in traditional Portuguese pavement. The buildings that line the square also built with traditional Portuguese architecture. It didn't feel like we were in Macau/China.

After the square we headed to the ruins of St Paul's one of the most famous landmarks in Macau surprise another world heritage site. This was a grand 16th century church, the largest catholic church in Asia at the time, however with the interest moving to Hong Kong the church run into disrepair and after a fire was never repaired. all what remains is the front facade.

Opposite the ruins was Mount Fortress another WH site. This was built to protect the island peninsula from the sea, this is confirmed as no canons face main land China.

The driver then took us across the Ponte de Amizade (friendship bridge) to Taipa. This bridge was huge almost 3 miles long, one of 3 bridges that connect the Islands. We looked around the Taipa Lutus flower festival before our hunger got the best of us and ventured back. It has been a busy jam packed day, especially in this heat.

The tour finished at the Venetian Casino in Coloane. It was grand building, we ventured up the escalators to a the second floor and was amazed what we saw. they had recreated a life size Italian town with a real river and gondala experince. The ceiling also represented an artificial sky. It was brilliant. We dealt with our hunger before heading to the casino to deal our best hands. Caught up in all the excitement we withdrew a $1,000HKD and headed to the roulette table for a big win. ...5 bets later we had lost it all. Clearly Stevie has inherited her fathers gambling style.

On a plus note Stevie did win on a slot machine... 10 cents. Then we realized that she never won, but didnt use all her credit.

We took the free bus back to the ferry terminal, just making the boat before it left. The return journey felt like it went alot quicker. After all the Immigration formalities we were back in Hong Kong. We headed back through park to see the flamigos before arriving at our hotel. Hungary we headed to a popular Korean Restaurant 'Red Chicken' ordered way to much and heaed back to our room stuffed with a couple boxes of left over chicken.